Memorial to the Westphalian Lancer Regiment no. 5

The monument consists of a bronze equestrian statue of a Uhlan lancer riding on a rearing horse. It stands on top of a 15.5 meter high rectangular limestone stele. The rider wears the traditional uniform of the Westfälische Ulanenregiment Nr.5 and holds the reins in his left hand and his lance almost vertical in his right hand.

The first design by Wilhelm Kreis was rejected and replaced by the existing design of Richard Langer (1879-1950). The monument was dedicated on May 26 1929 by Franz von Papen, who was then chairman of the memorial committee. The ceremony was noted for its strong nationalistic overtones and the inscription supported the ‘stab-in-the-back’ viewpoint. This, and the damage suffered to the monument during World War Two, led to calls for its demolition in the post-war period. However it was decided to keep and restore the monument in 1953.

The original inscription (until 1953) read:
If a thousand kill a man that is not glorious, that is not honorable, because it will be said in later days yet that the German army won.

The restored 1953 inscription reads: To the honorable memory of the Westfälische Uhlan Regiment No. 5 and its comrades fallen for the fatherland 1815-1918.

The 5th regiment was formed in 1815 in response to Napoleon’s escape from Elba and first fought at the Battle of Ligny (16 June 1815), and from 1822 formed part of the Dusseldorf garrison on the Rhine. It subsequently served during the German War of 1866, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, the Boxer Rebellion (1900) and the First World War in the invasion of Belgium. In 1819 the regiment was moved to form part of the Guards Division in Berlin before being disbanded in 1819.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Andy Pegler
• Photos: Andy Pegler
• Dusseldorf.de